By tf-lawyer.com On October 19th, an international academic symposium commemorating the 2575th anniversary of Confucius’s birth and the 7th General Assembly of the International Confucian Association kicked off in Beijing. Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech.
In his address, Wang Huning highlighted that President Xi Jinping’s significant speech during the 2565th anniversary symposium and the 5th General Assembly of the International Confucian Association set a clear direction for promoting the outstanding traditional culture of China, including Confucian thought, and fostering mutual learning among different civilizations. “Guided by Xi Jinping’s Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we aim to creatively transform and innovatively develop our excellent traditional culture,” Wang stated. He underscored the importance of enhancing exchanges with countries, ethnicities, and cultures worldwide, emphasizing the goal of showcasing Chinese civilization and enriching human civilization as a whole.
Wang noted that, under the strong leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, with Xi Jinping at its core, the Chinese people are confidently advancing along the path of modernization unique to China, which aims to benefit both itself and the world. He pointed out that the modernization process globally increasingly requires cultural, ideological, and value leadership. The theme of this conference, “Confucianism: Civilizational Diversity and Modernization,” is particularly relevant in today’s context. He encouraged attendees to remain steadfast in their commitment to promoting Confucianism and other outstanding traditional cultures, contributing to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.
Wang also mentioned President Xi Jinping’s global civilization initiative, which has received a positive response from the international community. “We must put this initiative into practice by advocating for an approach to civilization that emphasizes equality, mutual learning, dialogue, and inclusivity,” he explained. He called for respect for diversity, harmony amid differences, and for upholding the diverse nature of world civilizations, allowing each country the autonomy to choose its path to modernization.
Wang emphasized the need for openness and mutual learning, absorbing the essence of all outstanding civilizations, and collaboratively envisioning a vibrant modern society. He advocated for a blend of tradition and innovation, ensuring that ancient cultural legacies align with contemporary themes and societal developments, continuously injecting vitality into the modernization process. “We must work together to create a future where ancient civilizations better serve today and benefit humanity as a whole,” he added.
The opening ceremony was presided over by Sun Chunlan, President of the International Confucian Association. Notable speakers, including former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, former Italian Prime Minister Massimo D’Alema, and former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, delivered their speeches either onsite or virtually. They congratulated the International Confucian Association on its 30th anniversary, highlighting the significance of Confucian thought in addressing crises and resolving conflicts, while expressing a desire to strengthen cultural exchanges and civilizational dialogue to promote global peace and development.
Before the ceremony, Wang Huning posed for a group photo with the attending representatives. Other officials present included Shao Hong, Wang Dongfeng, and Liu Yandong.
